Special Tools
Removal Procedure
- Raise the vehicle. Refer to
Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
- Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
- Remove the rear wheel speed sensor.
- Remove the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement.
- Remove the pinion shaft locking bolt.
- On axles without a locking differential, remove the pinion shaft.
- On axles with a locking differential, remove the shaft part way. Rotate the case until the pinion shaft touches
the housing.
- On axles with a locking differential, use a screwdriver, or a similar tool, in order to enter the differential case and rotate the C-lock (1) until
the C-lock aligns with the thrust block (2).
- Push the flange of the axle shaft (1) toward the differential.
- Remove the C-lock from the button end of the axle shaft.
Important: When removing the axle shaft, do not rotate the shaft. Rotating the shaft will misalign the gears. Misaligning the gears will make the installing of the axle shaft difficult.
- Remove the axle shaft from the housing.
- If the axle is difficult to remove, use the
J 45859
(1) and the
J 2619-01
(2) to remove the axle shaft from the housing.
Installation Procedure
Important: Carefully insert the axle shaft in order to not damage the seal.
- Install the axle shaft into the rear axle housing.
- Slide the axle shaft into place allowing the splines to engage the differential side gear.
- On axles without a locking differential, place the C-lock on the button end of the axle shaft.
- On axles with a locking differential, keep the pinion shaft partially withdrawn.
- On axles with a locking differential, place the C-lock (1) on the axle shaft (3) so that the ends are flush with the thrust block (2).
- Pull the shaft flange outward in order to seat the C-lock in the differential gear.
- Align the hole in the pinion shaft with the bolt hole in the differential case.
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.
- Install the new pinion shaft locking bolt.
Tighten
• | For the 8.6 inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 36 N·m (27 lb ft). |
• | For the 9.5 LD inch axle, tighten the pinion shaft locking bolt to 50 N·m (37 lb ft). |
- Install the rear axle housing cover and the gasket. Refer to
Rear Axle Housing Cover and Gasket Replacement.
- Install the brake caliper. Refer to
Rear Brake Caliper Replacement.
- Install the rear wheel speed sensor.
- Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to
Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
- Fill the rear axle with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to
Rear Axle Lubricant Level Inspection.
- Lower the vehicle.